UP coming 2011 - NY Daily Record · 2018-10-23 · 2 2011 Up & Coming The Daily Record † July 28,...

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11 UP coming

ATTORNEYS

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Our 140+ attorneys provide the depth andbreadth of legal talent necessary to deliver ex-ceptional results for our clients. Founded in1893, Harter Secrest & Emery LLP has officesin Rochester, Buffalo and Albany, and inNaples, Florida.

HSE is organized into 17 practice areas oflegal expertise. Attorneys in these areas are ex-perts in: corporate law, securities, intellectualproperty, labor, litigation, education, non-profit,environmental and land use, real estate, trustsand estates, and immigration among others.

We work closely with major international cor-porations, closely held businesses, banks, real

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Julie R. Bielecki, 29, has practiced law forfive years now. She joined Harris BeachPLLC in 2006 after earning both her JD andan MBA with distinction at UB Law School.

She was nominated for this award, in part,because of her ability to recognize the needsof others, take action and lead change ini-tiatives on their behalf.

“I try to lead,” Bielecki explained. “I canget very passionate about things that are

close to my heart.”She has demonstrated passionate support

for organizations like those that helped herown family while her younger sister, Kate, bat-tled cancer: Ronald McDonald House, Her-itage Christian Service, CARE and others.

“Kate finds joy and beauty in the simplestthings in life and is the strongest and bravestperson I know.”

“Along with past Up & Coming Attorney[Award] winner Katie Courtney, Julie organ-ized GRAWA’s Newly Admitted Women At-torneys Committee,” GRAWA Nominating

Committee Chair Ann M. Williams said.“[Both received] President’s Awards for theirefforts.”

“We saw a need to keep [first-year female]attorneys engaged and keep them comingback [to] GRAWA events so that they coulddevelop professional networking skills,” Bi-elecki explained. “We provided social sup-port for that by spearheading [NAWA].”

“Julie is a leader in her field of practice,”Williams said. “She is a presenter on legalissues to business professionals, fellow at-torneys and individuals in the Rochester

community [and] her practice has evolvedacross several other practice groups and in-dustry teams, including life and asset plan-ning and health care.”

Bielecki said her interest in a wide num-ber of pursuits is fueled by her personalityand her profession. It also makes her well-rounded.

“Having [a corporate background] helpsme guide and advise clients with estate plan-ning needs to make sure their businesses go

3T h e D a i l y R e c o r d • J u l y 2 8 , 2 0 1 1 2 0 1 1 U p & C o m i n g

Congratulations Julia!2011 Up & Coming Attorney

We congratulate our friend and colleague Julia Green Sewruk and all the other Up & Coming Attorneys who have been recognized for their talent, commitment and bright futures.

Julia Green SewrukLitigationHarter Secrest & Emery LLP

R o c h e s t e r l B u f f a l o l A l b a n y l N a p l e s , F L

www.hselaw.com

Julie R. BieleckiAssociate at Harris Beach PLLC

Personal hero: My little sister Kate, a two-time cancer survivor

Favorite [legal] quotation: “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neigh-bors to compromise whenever you can. As

a peacemaker the lawyer has superior op-portunity of being a good man. There will still

be business enough.” – Abraham Lincoln

Little-known talent:I am a beer geek

Favorite local eatery: Bistro 135

Favorite legal term & why:

Supplemental Needs Trust, because I believe

it to be an incredible planning tool for families

of individuals with special needs.

By CHRISTINE ADAMOSpecial to The Daily Record

See BIELECKI page 13

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www.harrisbeach.com

99 GARNSEY ROAD

PITTSFORD, NY 14534585.419.8800

ALBANY BUFFALO ITHACA LOCKPORT LONG ISLAND NEW YORK CITY NIAGARA FALLS ROCHESTER SARATOGA SPRINGS SYRACUSE WHITE PLAINS YONKERS NEW HAVEN, CT NEWARK, NJ

CONGRATULATIONS TO JULIE BIELECKI AND KEVIN OVERTON ON BEING NAMED 2011 UP & COMING ATTORNEYS

FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT HARRIS BEACH

4 2 0 1 1 U p & C o m i n g T h e D a i l y R e c o r d • J u l y 2 8 , 2 0 1 1

Even if you don’t know Elizabeth A.Cordello personally, you may know her work:As a columnist. A Daily Record contributorsince 2005, her insights into civil litigationinform her writing.

She has spent six of her eight years as anattorney at Underberg & Kessler, LLP.

“Beth is quickly becoming a local subject[matter] expert on the employment law as-pects of social media,” Stephanie B. Watts,Underberg & Kessler’s director of clientservices, said. “She [has appeared], on a

number of occasions, on 13WHAM-TV’s‘News This Morning’.”

“She is a hard-working attorney dedicatedto finding creative, cost-effective solutions[for] her clients.”

Her appetite for creativity has also in-formed her outside pursuits.

“I admire J. K. Rowling for a variety ofreasons,” Cordello, 36, said. “She’s a self-made woman who is inspiring kids to read,which is amazing and awesome. The body ofher work is also amazing and I have a hugeinterest in kids.

“We need to prepare them for a future

that’s largely unpredictable and for jobs thatdon’t exist yet. [Encouraging] the creativeprocess and their imagination is what weneed to do to achieve the innovation neces-sary, in our country, to face those things.”

Cordello is now president of the board ofdirectors for Young Audiences of Rochester,a 42-year-old organization on a mission “touse the arts for learning,” and is also presi-dent of YAR’s subsidiary, ArtPeace, Inc.

“[YAR] really does a lot in Rochester toeducate kids about the arts and uses art tochallenge other areas of their brains relatedto math, science and more. ArtPeace, Inc.,

has a complementary mission — inspiringkids to become entrepreneurs and creators.”

“I come from a small town in Ohio — Nor-walk — a blue-collar town, a blue-collarfamily. My parents [sacrificed] to send me toCatholic school. They were extremely hardworkers. I attribute my work ethic to them.They’re among my personal heroes, as well.”

They fueled her desire to help under-served youth.

“They inspired me to continue my educa-tion and go to law school. I had a really greatfoundation at home and owe everything to

See CORDELLO page 14

Personal hero: J. K. Rowling

Favorite quotation: “The art of being wise is knowing what tooverlook.” – William James

Little-known talent: A former combat medic in the Army National.Guard, I can clean and shoot an M16 assault rifle

Favorite local eatery: Byblos Café, by Four Corners, serves thebest Mediterranean food in Rochester

Favorite legal term & why: “I know it when I see it”; possibly one of themost famous phrases in a Supreme Courtdecision, this one regarding what constitutesobscenity not protected by the First Amend-ment is a favorite because it’s a rare glimpseof judicial candor

Elizabeth A. CordelloAssociate at Underberg & Kessler LLP


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ALBANY BUFFALO CHAUTAUQUA GARDEN CITY NEW YORK ROCHESTER

PHILLIPSLYTLE.COM

Phillips Lytle is happy to support The Daily Record’s 2011 Up & Coming Attorneys. Congratulations to all of this year’s rising stars, including our very own Kevin J. Mulvehill.

© 2011 Phillips Lytle LLP

Congratulations to our colleague and friend,

Scott Mooney, on your selection as one of

the 2011 Up & Coming Attorneys. You are an

exemplary ambassador for our firm, our

community, and our profession, and we thank

you for showing us what it means to “be Boylan Brown.”

The legal practice is constantly evolving in the face of market

pressures and technological advances. At Boylan Brown, we

are always striving to achieve a more efficient and value-driven

business model in order to better meet the needs of our clients.

As our practice evolves, one thing remains unwavering — our

commitment to our community and our profession. Congratulations

to Scott and all of this year’s Up & Coming Attorneys, and thank

you for sharing our passion for the law and our dedication to the

Rochester community.

Scott MooneyAssociate

Congratulations and thank you, Scott.

To learn more about Boylan Brown,please visit www.boylanbrown.com© 2011 Boylan, Brown, Code, Vigdor & Wilson, LLP

2400 Chase SquareRochesterNew York14604

585 .232 [email protected]

Brian DeCarolis, 30, could have been acontender but chose to be a defender.

It started innocently. He began playinghockey at a young age. By 12, “checking”entered the rink. He said, “I’m gonna stick tobaseball.” Rather than permanently put hislove for the puck on a shelf, he later becamea referee.

Graduating from Fairport High School, hecompleted a “2 + 2” program at MCC andRIT with a bachelor’s in criminal justice

(scoring points with wife, Lorna, for being acommunity college graduate — Happy An-niversary, you two). He attended Albany LawSchool and, in 2005, completed his JD.

He has practiced law ever since. And, allkidding aside, takes it very seriously.

“Just look at the Daren Venable trial,”James Nobles, a colleague, said. “Brian is azealous advocate for his clients.”

For five years he was a Monroe County as-sistant district attorney, prosecuting suspectsof crimes like DWIs and all manner of mis-demeanor and felony. Two and a half of those

years were spent, as he said, “exclusivelyprosecuting violent felonies.”

Nine months ago he broke away from allthat, embarking on a career as a criminal de-fender. His first trial involved Venable who,from day one, he had two attorneys: DeCaro-lis and Nobles.

On Jan. 28, a Monroe County grand jurycharged Venable — who pleaded not guilty— with one count of second-degree murder.He was accused of fatally stabbing a fellow Uof R student at a fraternity party held Jan.15.

“[That] trial was a wonderful illustrationof why I wanna do this,” DeCarolis said. “Tohave gone through that experience with himand his family is incredible. He got to goback to being a 20-year-old.”

“He’s got things to overcome [but] it’s theperfect illustration of why I know this is forme.”

Prior to Venable, Nobles and DeCarolishad worked together on several cases. No-bles approached DeCarolis with the idea ofpracticing privately while sharing office


See DECAROLIS page 13

Brian DeCarolisPrincipal at The Law Office of Brian DeCarolis

Personal hero:I have never had a personal hero

Favorite quotation: Unfortunately, I’m not much of a quote guy

Little known talent: I was a hockey referee for 15 years

Favorite local eatery: Beale Street Café

Favorite legal term & why: Not Guilty, because it is the best possible

result for a client after trial


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Carey Ann Denefrio, 36, has served asConfidential Law Clerk to the Hon. JonathanW. Feldman since 2007. She was admittedto the bar and has practiced law since 2006.

“It makes me happy knowing that I mustbe doing something right and that people inthe community think I’m worthy of gettingthis award,” she said recently. “I’m humbledby it.”

Denefrio got her JD with honors from Al-bany Law School of Union University in2005. Before that she received a bachelor’s

in Political Science from Boston College andtook time to globetrot.

“I spent that two-year period backpacking— alone, for parts of it,” she explained. “Iwas in Australia for seven or eight monthswith my best friend.”

She visited 23 countries in Asia, the SouthPacific and Europe — with prior experienceas a U.S. Professional Tennis Assocation cer-tified instructor and NCAA Division I Var-sity tennis player helping fund heradventure.

“I worked everywhere I went, but had noidea what I’d be doing. Everyone really sup-

ported [me] and thought it was a pretty neatthing to do. [Traveling] was something Iwanted to do before I started my law schooljourney. I grew up with two parents who wereavid travelers [and] think they inspired me.”

Denefrio, a native of Niskayuna (Schenec-tady County), said she enjoyed being on herown in a non-Westernized area of Japan.

“I had to learn enough of the language toget by. It was probably the most challengingsix months of the trip, but it was also themost rewarding.”

Challenges and rewards continue to moti-vate Denefrio — professionally and person-

ally.“Ms. Denefrio not only excels in her pro-

fession, but she is a dedicated member of thecommunity,” explained Heidi Schult Gre-gory, 2008-2009 president of GRAWA, whoorganized her nomination. Denefrio is amember of the MCBA Young Lawyers Sec-tion. She’s a Catholic Charities CommunityServices board member, serves on commit-tees for the Walter Hagen Memorial GolfTournament and Genesee Center for the Arts& Education and is a Camp Good Days &Special Times volunteer.

GRAWA congratulates its members recognized as

2011 Up & Coming Attorneys

Julie R. Bielecki

Carey Ann Denefrio

Penny A. Dentinger

Shannon O’Keefe

The Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys is a chapter of the Women’s Bar Association for the State of New York. GRAWA’s mission is to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and of women in the legal profession; promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and to women attorneys in particular.

Congratulations, Hadley, on this well-deserved honor of being

named one of 2011’s Up & Coming Attorneys!

You continually impress us with your

knowledge, dedication, and

unsurpassable standards of workmanship.

Faraci.com / Faracibusiness.com

28 EAST MAIN STREET, SUITE 1100, ROCHESTER, NY 14614

(585)325-5150

See DENEFRIO page 13

Personal hero: My dad, Fred Denefrio, the hardest workingperson I know

Favorite quotation:“It never occurred to me to doubt myself”– Katherine Hepburn (providing inspirationduring law school and the bar exam)

Little known talent:I was a pianist for 16 years, performing con-certs in high school and college

Favorite local eatery: Tapas

Favorite legal term & why:Justice … “the fair and proper administrationof laws” is what my job is all about!

Carey Ann Denefrio Confidential Law Clerk to the Hon. Jonathan W. Feldman, USMJ


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Penny A. Dentinger, 37, is a self-pro-claimed “singleton” who lives near HighlandPark with Buster, 6 — a Lollypop Farm res-cue dog — and is a one-woman welcomewagon. Urged to write Penny’s Guide toRochester, one day she may.

A business and corporate lawyer since2004, she joined Nixon Peabody LLP, in2007 after leaving Dewey Ballantine LLP,and New York City to return to her hometownof Rochester.

“The practice of law can be mundane day-to-day,” she explained. “If you don’t seek outor use a platform like Nixon gives me, you’lljust get caught up in your own life. I’ve neverbeen that type of person.”

Scott M. Turner, managing partner atNixon Peabody, said her strengths exceedher age and experience.

“Outside of her client work,” he ex-plained, “Penny stands out most for the im-pact she has made on the legal communityand the Rochester community at large.”

“Her work as secretary [of the formerly de-

funct MCBA Young Lawyers Section, whichshe helped re-launch and reinvigorate in2008] has not only led to a re-emergence ofa large, enthusiastic section of the bar. It hasalso helped raise money and increase sup-port for Rochester’s Teen Court.”

Aligned with The Center for Youth, shealso works with the MCBA Business LawCouncil, Lawyers for Learning, DimitriHouse, United Way, American Cancer Soci-ety, Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valleyand other organizations.

Still, she hopes to do — and learn — even

more.“Every time I leave Dimitri House, [an

outreach center and emergency winter shel-ter],” she said, “I thank my friend, Amy, forsuggesting I help out.”

“I’m also interested in serving on a board— anything to do with the city, kids or ani-mals.”

“Whatever [I do] — whether it’s being afriend, mentor or putting together services orprograms — I like to extend that life pre-server, open ear, encouragement or nudge to

See DENTINGER page 14

AA Winner for the Workplace.As an associate in our Labor & Employment and Litigation p y g

Law Practice Groups, Beth helps workplaces in our community work better. She brings her expertise in human

resources, negotiation, and labor law to help her clients and the community organizations that she serves minimize risk and achieve success. We are very proud of Beth and

look forward to her future achievements.

From all of us at Underberg & Kessler –Congratulations Beth!

www.underbergkessler.com

Helping you make the most of your options.®

300 Bausch & Lomb Place, Rochester 1900 Main Place Tower, Buffalo23 Sly Street, Canandaigua2739 Dewey Avenue, Greece

634 South Main Street, Newark32 Main Street, Geneseo

Penny A. Dentinger Associate at Nixon Peabody LLP

Personal hero: My true heroes are very personal to me andare not limited to one person but include my

close friends and family

Favorite quotation: “Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.”

– Suzanne Weyn

Little known talent:I can recite all the books of the Bible to song;

it came in handy when I was at Christian bible camp

Favorite local eatery:My neighborhood place always has

the best food and friendly service – Mise en Place in the South Wedge

Favorite legal term & why: Pro Bono – it gives me the opportunity to

get to know clients I might not otherwise in-teract with and help people in need in theRochester community without worrying

about fees and billable hours


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Admitted to the bar in 2002, R. AndrewFeinberg has practiced law for nine yearsand has been at Brown & Hutchinson forfive.

“I [work] closely with Andy and can attestto his strong character, work ethic and legalabilities,” Managing Partner T. AndrewBrown has said.

“Matters assigned to [him] are often thoseof considerable complexity and potential ex-posure. He has my complete trust in his

lawyering abilities and judgment.”An associate at The Wolford Law Firm

LLP, Heidi W. Feinberg, agreed.“He is often assigned cases that present

some kind of problem — be it unfavorablewitness testimony or a murky legal issue —and he always finds a way to solve the prob-lem and obtain a good result for the client,”she commented.

Heidi, with whom Feinberg has a 2-year-old son nicknamed “Benny,” hit it right onthe nose.

“Part of the reason I became an attorney— and made that decision when I was rela-

tively young — is because I do like problemsolving,” Feinberg, 41, explained.

“There were a lot of devil’s advocatesaround the [dinner] table. You had to besmart and back up whatever you were dis-cussing … I’m also somewhat of a ham.”

He had to think through his position,string arguments together and make thepieces fit if he was going to hold his ownalongside his two sisters, one brother, fatherand mother. Along came TV’s Law & Order.Through his then 12-year-old eyes, being alawyer looked like a lot of fun.

“Until you’re in law school, you don’t see

the tedious work that goes behind it all. It’sdifferent, in reality, but it is a lot of fun. Ienjoy trial work and think it’s exciting. Iplayed a lot of athletics when I was younger[and] get that same kind of rush [just] beforea trial.”

Captain of the Albany Law School ofUnion University Rugby Team for two yearsand an NCAA Division I wrestler at WilkesUniversity for three (while pursuing a dou-ble major), it’s no wonder he has a reputationfor mastering onerous situations — and men-

See FEINBERG page 14

No wonder Kimberly A. Glennon, 32, isfond of the term voir dire — with a literalFrench translation of “to see, to speak” pro-vided by Farlex.

“I like the word,” she said. “I also like theprocess of interviewing prospective jurors:Seeing who’s out in the community, findingout what they’re thinking and being exposedto a broader range [of people] than you findin everyday practice.”

Formerly an associate at Thomas &

Solomon LLP, she has practiced law forseven years. She opened her own firm in Oc-tober 2009, in response to motherhood andher desire to achieve personal and profes-sional equanimity.

Twins Madeline and Pierson are now 4,sharing a July 14 birthday with their mother.

“Having my own practice and being ableto focus on individuals, I get to focus on themand do it on a somewhat smaller scale. I cantake [cases] other firms cannot because oftheir caseloads.”

She can see, speak to and connect with

clients in a more intimate way — when theyneed it most.

“Nobody calls me because their employ-ment situation is fantastic. They’ve beenfired or laid off. They’ve lost their identity. Igive them one-on-one attention as the soleperson helping them assert their rights. Ibring them hope so they can rise up … I findthat very satisfying.”

There was more to be gained by going italone.

“I’m able to focus on my family but still dowhat I’m passionate about regarding the law

[so] that it works to do both.”Leaving high-paced litigation behind also

allowed her to carve out a niche and do whatshe loves while giving her family what sheneeded to.

“Kimberly should be singled out as an ex-ample for today’s professional woman,” PeterGlennon, her husband, said.

“Although [she] acknowledges that run-ning a law business and a household is by nomeans easy, she does it — and she does itwith the utmost grace and professionalism.”

See GLENNON page 14

Personal hero[es]: My parents

Favorite quotation:“It’s easy to grin when your ship comes in andyou’ve got the stock market beat. But the manworthwhile is the man who can smile whenhis shorts are too tight in the seat.” — JudgeSmails (played by Ted Knight in Caddyshack)

Little known talent: I can name almost every starting five for theSyracuse University Basketball team back to 1981

Favorite local eatery: Pickles Kosher Deli (in De Witt, southeast ofSyracuse)

Favorite legal term & why:Res Ipsa Loquitur — this term speaks for itself

R. Andrew FeinbergSenior Associate at Brown & Hutchinson

Kimberly A. Glennon Principal at The Law Office of Kimberly A. Glennon

Personal hero: My father

Favorite quotation: “It is better to light a candle than curse the

darkness.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Little-known talent: I can draw cartoon characters

Favorite local eatery: Hicks & McCarthy in Pittsford

Favorite legal term & why: Voir dire – I like the term and the process



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Managing Partner Stephen G. Schwarz, ofFaraci Lange LLP, met Hadley Matarazzo inNew York City in 2008 as their respectivefirms collaborated on a mass tort case.

“I [was] immediately impressed with herabilities,” he explained. “She soon workedher way into an integral role on the team weestablished to prosecute the case, which is alarge, 1,000 plantiff environmental-contam-ination case in Endicott, N.Y.”

Knowing Matarazzo, 35, was fromRochester and sought a return home, he

made her an offer.“Weitz & Luxenberg was extremely reluc-

tant to let her go and made extensive effortsto keep her — another indication of the re-spect she has earned from all that haveworked with her.”

Last year, Schwarz and Matarazzo (now inher sixth year of practice) began conductingdepositions of former workers at the facilitybelieved at fault in the ongoing groundwater-contamination case. In some instances, sheplayed a lead role.

Robin L. Greenwald has nearly 30 yearsof legal experience and heads the environ-

mental tort unit at Weitz & Luxenberg. For-merly, she directed the Environmental LawClinic at Rutgers School of Law in whichMatarazzo participated.

“I will always be impressed by [Hadley’s]maturity as a legal thinker,” she said. “Evenin law school.”

“[Having worked] with attorneys of vary-ing experience levels — from the most sen-ior to law students and everything in between— [I would place Hadley] first on my list ofattorneys with whom I would like to work.”

One year after completing her JD,Matarazzo asked Greenwald for a reference

— who trumped it with an offer to work inthe firm’s environmental torts unit.

“I was very comfortable working withRobin,” Matarazzo said of accepting. “Be-cause Robin had faith in me, I knew I coulddo it. That’s how I started out doing toxic tortcases. It was a huge learning curve, but it’sworked out really well.”

“Good mentoring was a huge part of that.That was all Robin, at that point in my ca-reer, and continues to be the case at [Faraci].A lot of my abilities to litigate come from thefantastic mentoring I’ve had.”

See MATARAZZO page 15

Hadley L. MatarazzoAssociate at Faraci Lange LLP

Personal hero: My grandfathers, and Willa Cather’s Antonia

Shimerda

Favorite quotation:“Law cannot stand aside from the socialchanges around it.” – William J. Brennan

Little known talent: Knitting

Favorite local eatery: Lento

Favorite legal term & why: Res Ipsa Loquitur,

because it is a common sense rule

Scott Mooney, 33, was torn betweenquotes.

Mark Twain? Or Tom Robbins, author:“Never underestimate how much assistance,how much satisfaction, how much comfort, howmuch soul and transcendence there might be ina well-made taco and a cold bottle of beer.”

No, Mooney does not live for tacos andbeer alone.

“I just got back from a vacation,” he ex-plained, “in Nicaragua. I love to travel and

Central America is a great option. You canget there quickly and it’s cheap. Having acold beer down there just reminded me ofthat Tom Robbins quote.”

Ah, Cerveza Toña!“I like [being] out of my comfort zone —

immersing myself in different situations, ex-periencing new things and tasting newthings.”

His brother, sister-in-law and fiancé, Occu-pational Therapist Cherie Miller, joined him.

“Not once, when I’ve mentionedNicaragua or Ecuador, has she turned me

down. Nicaragua is a beautiful country. It’sstill very poor, but the people were amazing.”

Mooney’s firm found him amazing, too.“Scott has quickly become a very skilled

litigator both in the courtroom and at the ne-gotiation table,” said James E. Metzler, apartner at Boylan, Brown, Code, Vigdor &Wilson LLP. “He is adept at being zealouson behalf of his clients [while] exercisingprofessional courtesies with his opponents.”

Mooney has spent his seven practicingyears there, earning what Metzler called areputation for “promoting the firm’s colle-

giality and camaraderie” and due respect.His areas of concentration include commer-cial litigation, environmental law, employ-ment law and creditor’s rights.

“Scott also gives back [as a] pro bono at-torney taking cases before the U.S. districtcourt. He also volunteers his time speakingat local high schools about the legal systemand, [an avid cyclist], has been a volunteerwith Criterium.”

Mooney said the road race has had manylives — as the Rochester Downtown Twilight

See MOONEY page 15

Personal hero: At the risk of sounding cliché, my heroes are myparents, Daniel and Patricia Mooney

Favorite quotation: Mark Twain once so beautifully said, “Travel isfatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness”

Little known talent: I can explain to a layperson what happens duringthe Krebs cycle and the electron transport chainreaction; it’s pretty exciting stuff!

Favorite local eatery: I can’t seem to get enough of Good Luck, on Anderson Avenue, and theirfried bologna sandwiches

Favorite legal term & why:“Voir dire” – it sounds like a cool B-horror moviefrom the ‘50s or ‘60s starring Vincent Price. “Noone escapes...VOIR DIRE!” In all seriousness,though, the [process] – which I liken to a mash-upof duck-duck-goose and a game of chess – isprobably one of the most essential, fun and fre-quently overlooked aspects of trial advocacy

Scott M. MooneyAssociate at Boylan, Brown, Code, Vigdor & Wilson LLP



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Caroline MorrisonSenior Assistant District Attorney, Monroe County District Attorney’s Office

2 0 1 1 U p & C o m i n g T h e D a i l y R e c o r d • J u l y 2 8 , 2 0 1 110

Caroline Morrison, 39, has spent six of herseven practicing years working in the Mon-roe County District Attorney’s office — ad-vocating for justice as she defines it.

“It signifies fairness, moral righteousnessand a system of law in which all persons re-ceive due process,” she has said, adding,“You’re not looking for convictions. You’relooking for justice.”

“[Caroline is an] exceptional litigator whoadministers her duties as a prosecutor withfairness and integrity to all parties involved

in the criminal matter,” explained Rashon-dra Jackson, associate counsel at theRochester City School District and formerUp & Coming Attorney Award winner.

While completing undergraduate work,Morrison took an interest in criminal law.The thought of applying that interest in thecommunity she hailed from added to its ap-peal.

“My background is choppy, to say theleast,” Morrison said, adding that her fostermother, Gertrude Chapman-White, encour-aged success in her as a teen.

“She took me and my child in so we could

avoid being separated. [She] encouraged meto continue my education and supported me.I’m a good example of what a young personcan accomplish with the right support sys-tem.”

Morrison graduated from East High Schooland went to SUNY Brockport, earning abachelor’s in Criminal Justice as a part-timestudent.

“It was a long road with family memberssaying ‘Are you every going to be done withschool?’ I really had to struggle and work myway back. There were some setbacks [butthere was] constant encouragement and sup-

port.”Support also came from Morrison’s hus-

band, Christopher, a self-employed contrac-tor. The three children they have raised(Deone, 21, Dante, 18, and David, 14) in-spired her recent interest in using photogra-phy and scrapbooking to tell a story, becreative and capture moments in time.

At UB Law School, Morrison was an activeBuffalo Women’s Law Journal team member.That collaborative effort resulted in a bodyof work all could take pride in and, as a pros-ecutor, Morrison still supports a team effort.

See MORRISON page 14

Ask Kevin J. Mulvehill, 30, a direct ques-tion and he’ll provide a direct answer.

Practicing law for nearly five years, he hasbeen with Phillips Lytle LLP, for the dura-tion of his professional career. Engaged toEmily Fiorella, a real estate agent at Noth-nagle, the pair will wed next year. Born inRochester, he grew up in Buffalo and trav-eled Europe while studying comparative lawin Strasbourg, France, about 5 miles — or 8

km — from the German border. “From my apartment, I could ride my bike

from France to Germany,” Mulvehill ex-plained. “The entire experience allowed methe opportunity to see how legal systemscould differ. [I] keep that in my thoughts.Much of our laws are a result of our culture.”

He has written for area publications, likeThe Daily Record, and his firm’s in-housenewsletter with the goal of keeping clientsinformed about the changes in law which af-fect labor and employment. His first story

was published in a newspaper when he was5 years old.

“It was about a dog who lost his way.”To the question of whether it was a

metaphor for a bigger issue he responded,“At age 5?” No frills — and, perhaps, justthe facts — are what he can be relied uponto deliver.

“I’m good at keying in on specific issuesand pushing aside things that are not mate-rial so we can concentrate on the actualissue.”

Concentrate he does, gaining an under-standing of who his clients are, what mattersto them and where they want to go.

“I believe in having a comprehensiveanalysis of any legal issue [in order] to makethe best possible decision to solve a specificproblem or issue and I’m willing to takeinput from both clients and other attorneys.”

“I’m definitely hard working — either atwork or doing work at home — like land-

See MULVEHILL page 14

Personal hero: My mother, Gertrude Chapman-White

Favorite quotation: “Ignorance, allied with power, is the most fe-rocious enemy justice can have.” – James Baldwin

Little-known talent: Drawing

Favorite local eatery: Unkl Moe’s BBQ & Catering

Favorite legal term & why: Justice. My responsibility as a prosecutor isto “seek justice, not merely to convict.”

Kevin J. MulvehillAssociate at Phillips Lytle LLP

Personal hero: In real life, my parents Ray and Kathy

Mulvehill; from fiction, William Wallaceand/or George Bailey

Favorite quotation: “There never has been devised – and there

never will be devised – any law which will en-able a man to succeed save by the exercise of

those qualities which have always been theprerequisite of success the qualities of hard

work, keen intelligence, of unflinching will.”– Theodore Roosevelt

Little known talent: I have a black belt in karate

Favorite local eatery: Max Chophouse

Favorite legal term & why: Dismissed – I am a defense attorney



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It wasn’t clear if Shannon O’Keefe per-sonally identified with her explanation of herfavorite legal term — as in “Check out thatbody!” — or revered it professionally. She’sa former dancer, after all. She laughed outloud when asked to clarify.

“It amazes me how far the judicial systemhas come,” she explained, saying it was thelatter.

“The literal translation makes me think ofold, dank prisons where [people lived] insqualor. The idea of using a term like that to

bring prisoners place to place by referring tothem as a body versus a person — ‘Bring thebody to me’ — is so offensive.”

A 2006 Victim Advocate Award andGreece PD Certificate of Excellence recipi-ent, she has spent six years in both the pub-lic sector and private practice. She joinedthe family court chambers of the Hon. JudgeJohn B. Gallagher Jr. as a law clerk in Janu-ary.

“I enjoyed being in the private sector, butthe day never ended. I was constantly get-ting calls after hours [while I was] in the mid-dle of doing something with my family.”

Married to Kirk Pero, a City of Rochesterpolice investigator who is often on-call,O’Keefe has two sons: Connor, 11, and Kyle,10.

“We thought, ‘We can’t both be doing this— somebody has to be paying attention todinner!’”

Her attitude, however playful, is balancedby a sense of professionalism.

“Shannon’s accomplishments are growingand far reaching,” Laurie A. Giordano, for-mer GRAWA president and current boardmember, wrote.

“Without a doubt, [she] is someone to be

watching … an up-and-coming attorney inour community who has a demonstratedcommitment to professionalism, communityservice and volunteer work. [GRAWA is]proud of her accomplishments.”

O’Keefe said, while always driven, she re-cently scaled back outside involvement tomake time for family. At 32, her list of ac-complishments is long and their impact evi-dent.

URMC Associate Professor and Directorof the Laboratory of Interpersonal Violence& Victimization Catherine Cerulli, has been

See O’KEEFE page 15

Shannon O’Keefe PeroLaw Clerk to the Hon. John B. Gallagher Jr. (Family Court Judge)

Personal hero: My husband

Favorite quotation:“What lies behind us and what lies before us

are tiny matters compared to what lieswithin us.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Little-known talent: I danced competitively from the age of five

until college and have taught dance forseveral years

Favorite local eatery: “Red” Fedele’s Brook House

Favorite legal term & why: Habeas corpus – I love the literal translation,

“that you have the body”

Earlier this year Kevin L. Overton, 36,was named one of Rochester’s “40 Under 40African-American Leaders” for demonstrat-ing professional and community leadership.

“I never really thought of myself as aleader,” he said. “It’s never something I setout to be by any stretch. I’m just trying tofocus on being a good attorney, as well as agood husband and father.”

“I am involved in a few activities, mainly

[as a board member of] the Rochester Gen-eral Hospital Foundation. I’m learning a lotmore about the hospital system itself whiletrying to promote its fundraising efforts. It’sgreat to be involved.”

At Harris Beach for eight years, he serveson the firm’s Diversity Council and its RealEstate Developers, Educational Institutionsand Financial Institutions & Capital MarketsIndustry teams.

“Kevin is a quick study who learns every-thing about a client’s business and opera-tions so that he can address legal issues

specific to [their] business and industry,”said Sara E. Visingard, a colleague and pre-vious Up & Coming Attorney Award recipi-ent.

“If I’m really going to help you with an as-pect of your business,” Overton said, “I needto know what you do on a day-to-day basis— what helps and what hinders your pro-ductivity, to be sure the product you gethelps solve the problem.”

“And I’m a little nosy, at times, so thathelps.”

“I tell clients that I may ask a lot of ques-

tions and they may be silly questions but, ifI don’t, I’ll wind up sitting there with a blankstare on my face. I definitely work betterwith clients who talk more and have a littlebit of a personality.”

“He [takes] the lead on research, opinionsand transactions in an efficient and cost-ef-fective manner,” added Visingard. “Kevin pro-vides clients with superior service and value,which is a significant contributing factor tomaintaining long-lasting client relations.”

“I’m here to facilitate the solving of prob-

See OVERTON page 15

Personal hero: My dad – he was always there for us, has agreat work ethic, gets along with everyoneand it always meant the world to me whenhe [showed up] at track meets and otherevents; my mom, too

Favorite quote: “People rarely succeed unless they have funin what they are doing.” – Dale Carnegie

Little-known talent: I am a pretty good caddie

Favorite local eatery: Dinosaur BBQ

Favorite legal term & why: Res Ipsa Loquitur – still trying to figure thatone out

Kevin L. Overton(Senior) Associate at Harris Beach PLLC



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What started with the unconscious singingof James Brown lyrics, in the opening mo-ments of our call, ended with a strong state-ment from James M. Paulino II.

“When you can appreciate life and see thebig picture — that every life is valuable —it affects how you conduct yourself and howyou impact others.”

At 29, he has practiced law for three years— at Ward, Greenberg, Heller & Reidy LLP.

Given his accomplishments already, hecould very well be the James Brown ofRochester’s legal scene: Bold, energetic andvocal.

“I want to be sure other people [know]about us young lawyers and what we’redoing,” Paulino said. “We’re supposed to beagents for social change in our communi-ties.”

A University of Notre Dame Law Schoolgraduate, he coaches the U of R mock trialteam and serves on Irondequoit’s zoning

board of appeals. Also a graduate of TheCharles Finney School, he serves its boardof directors and recently organized its “HotChocolate & Cool Jazz” event.

“By all accounts,” said Jeffrey J. Harra-dine, a colleague, “this event was a greatsuccess, for which Jimmy deserves muchcredit.”

“I do not know where he finds the time tomaintain an active practice and serve hiscommunity in [so many] capacities, yet, hedoes — and rarely without his characteris-

tic smile and pleasant demeanor.”Humor and directness are traits he

claimed; another colleague, Sharon M. Por-cellio, added “unbridled passion” and “anamazing breadth of knowledge and interests”to the list.

“I’m an amateur philosopher and I lovethe law,” Paulino explained.

“I also have a passion for kids andteenagers; they’re the next generation of peo-ple who need to make our system work.”

See PAULINO page 15

James M. Paulino IIAssociate at Ward Greenberg Heller & Reidy LLP

Personal hero: “Pop” Paulino

Favorite quotation: I’ve always hated quotes and I always will …

my favorite book? “Natural Law andNatural Rights” by John Finnis

Little-known talent: Pasta-maker extraordinaire

Favorite local eatery: Bocaccini’s Italian Bistro & Bar

(owned by family)

Favorite legal term & why: “Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus”

– because it’s true

Julia Green Sewruk, 32, finds fun every-where — even in bottle-cap Snapple Facts:“The average 6-year-old laughs 100 times aday. Adults? 15.”

A Baldwinsville native, she was a paidsummer associate at a large Boston firm andreturned there after getting her JD at North-eastern University School of Law. She heardabout Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP, from acolleague’s wife.

“My initial interest turned into a stalker-ish obsession,” she joked. “I couldn’t be

happier.”Quality of life and less economic pressure

drew her and wife, Melissa, to Rochester. InMay 2010, they had a son — Theo.

Snapple Fact #197: The first personcrossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope in 1859.

At the firm since 2006, Sewruk focuses onenvironmental, municipal and land-use liti-gation.

“Julia’s legal practice and community in-volvement [are exemplory],” said HSE Part-ner Edward F. Premo II.

“[She can] break down and analyze a com-plex issue in order to present it in a simple,

understandable manner that best advancesher client’s position. Her style is focused,persuasive and precise.”

“Ed is definitely a mentor,” Sewruk ex-plained. “We have some pretty deep legalconversations. He’s a great guy and a greatfriend. I really lucked out.”

Among other things, they share an excite-ment for intellectual curiosity and good writ-ing.

“I’m passionate about my writing and wantit to be the best it can be. [Ed takes] the timeto say, ‘This word doesn’t have the nuancethis word does’ [and] he’s so engaged. I think

he just can’t help himself — we’re a lotalike.”

After speaking at a 2009 joint meeting ofthe NYSBA’s environmental and municipallaw sections, The New York EnvironmentalLawyer sought permission to publish a com-panion article by Sewruk.

Snapple Fact #346: The medical term forwriter’s cramp is graphospasm.

“It’s a piece advising municipalities ontheir ability to control wind-energy develop-ment. It’s hard to say it’s a bad idea, [but] justbecause it’s a good idea doesn’t mean there

See SEWRUK page 15

Personal hero: There are too many important and motivating people in my life to identify justone as a personal hero

Favorite quotation: “Only those who will risk going too far canpossibly find out how far one can go.” – T. S. Eliot

Little known talent: I’m crafty

Favorite local eatery: If I must pick just one, Salena’s MexicanRestaurant

Favorite legal term & why: “Granted” – but, only when it is in my client’sfavor

Julia Green Sewruk Associate at Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP



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on the way they want them to. I had a lot ofdifferent interests in law school and havehad the opportunity to pursue [many] of themwhile at Harris Beach.”

While born in Rochester, subsequentmoves along the East Coast also had an in-fluence on her.

“Moving made me open to challenges,meeting new people and learning new skills.

Certainly, having to go to different schoolshelped me develop people skills because Iwas continually learning to adjust to differ-ent environments.”

Bielecki is the first in her clan — with tiesto Horticultural Scientist George Ellwanger,who donated land to the City of Rochester toform Highland Park — to become an attor-ney. The day she graduated from Pittsford-Mendon High School her grandmother put ina request for a family lawyer and got herwish.

“My mom and dad used to tell me, ‘You’d

be a great lawyer. You love to argue!’ I justlike to advocate for people — like my sister,Kate. I think that’s where my interest in lawcame from.”

She met her husband, Alex Bielecki(owner of J. Ryan’s in Syracuse), while pur-suing her MBA. The couple has a 20-month-old son, A.J., who recently began walking.

“I loved getting to take a breather from thelaw courses and experience practical busi-ness examples and apply that skill set,” shesaid of pursuing a double major.

“I went to law school to be in business —

to work with businesses. Both of my parents,and my step-father, are entrepreneurs.”

For most of her life, Bielecki’s father hasworked in the craft beer industry. His pas-sion, she said, is infectious. So infectiouswhen combined with the 69 draft lines at J.Ryan’s that the lawyer labels herself a “beergeek.” To that, only one thing can be said:

A toast surely fits this occasion,Top off your favorite libation,Drink gleefully, Associate of the hour,May your outlook never sour!

Bielecki� BIELECKI from page 3

space and ideas.“I have every intention of doing this long

term,” DeCarolis explained. It’s been bet-ter than I expected it to be, not to speak illof the DA’s office.”

DeCarolis interned with the district at-torney’s office while in college and ac-cepted a permanent position upongraduation, interviewing the day he passedhis bar exam. His goal was to explore theopportunities available to him in the fieldof law. Defense was simply another oppor-tunity.

“Not everybody has the make up to rep-resent people who are accused — or facethe ugly, ugly, ugly allegations; in some

cases, things that didn’t even happen. Nomatter what you think about it, that personis entrusting their freedom to you. You’re

obligated to not pass judgment.”What makes for good defense, he said, is

doing everything properly. What makes for

good law? A strong advocate on the otherside to ensure the process is working. Whatmakes criminal defense supremely impor-

tant to him? What’s at stake.“We’re not talking about a piece of real

estate or a contract. Even if it’s a simplemisdemeanor, people can still go to jail forit. It interferes with their life. You’re deal-ing with people who have absolutely nocriminal history, in some cases.”

“And no one is ever a lost cause,” headded. “Day in and day out, regardless ofwhether I’m in court at a trail or going over acase, I [may be the] only person working onan individual’s behalf. It’s incredibly reward-ing. I love doing the best I can do for them.”

When not doing that, DeCarolis scorespoints with his wife and their one-year-oldson, Emmett.

DeCarolis� DECAROLIS from page 5

“When I started working for Judge Feld-man,” she explained, “I made a commitmentand a vow to myself that I would find ways togive back to the community with my freetime.”

Coming from litigation, free time was for-merly a luxury. Even so, she had built com-

munity to her surroundings. “Carey Ann …took advantage of pro bono opportunities, inaddition to her fine legal work,” Harold A.Kurland — of Ward, Norris, Heller & ReidyLLP — has said. “She also used her athleticskills to organize volleyball, paddle andother sports-related activities to help en-courage busy lawyers to get out of their of-fices and get to know their colleagues better.[She] has extraordinary potential and epito-mizes the notion of an up and coming young

attorney.”The members of the chambers where she

now works unanimously agreed. “Carey Ann’s involvement in community

activities outside of her busy work scheduleis truly remarkable,” Judge Feldman, Judi-cial Assistant Rita J. Onyan and CourtroomDeputy Lisa M. Duque submitted in theirletter of support. “By devoting so much ofher time and skills to both her job and hercommunity, Carey Ann leads by example.

But despite her busy schedule, [she] never

forgets the importance of staying connected

to her family and friends.

“Still active in tennis, Denefrio nowde-

votes any remaining free time to wedding

planning. Her fiancé, attorney Timothy

Lyster, proposed in May at Niagara-on-the-

Lake. For Denefrio, the adventure may never

end.

Denefrio� DENEFRIO from page 6

Not everybody has the make up to represent people who are accused — or face the ugly, ugly,ugly allegations; in some cases, things that

didn’t even happen. No matter what you think about it,that person is entrusting their freedom to you.


toring others.“I enjoy the mentoring,” he said. “That

takes some work because you’ve gotta listen.In the practice of law — a lot of times — ifyou know the argument you’re going tomake, you make that argument. When you’rein court, you go 100 percent at that.”

“As a member of a team, you have to backoff: Make your arguments, listen and hearwhat other people are saying. When there’san adversary on the other side, it’s different.You might say, ‘I’m right on this point and

this point’. But, if you miss the big picturewhat is the point?”

“Listen to the arguments coming from theother side — test them out, see [which] arevalid and what defenses you have to their ar-guments. Andy Brown calls that ‘Getting inthe other guy’s briefcase’. If you’re not lis-tening, you can miss a big opportunity tomake strides in your case.”

Just as nuances have helped Feinbergpoint arguments in the right direction, hislegal experience has helped him point youngassociates in the right direction.

“I’ve never talked to another attorney whowas mentored like I was,” he explained. “[I’ve

been able to work] with partners and not forthem … that torch of mentoring was handed

to me and I’ve carried it.”“I’m always learning, too. As you’re work-

ing with someone else on a team you’re gonna

learn something you didn’t know and see itfrom a different perspective. That makes your

own product much better.”And, he added, you can always be better

in whatever you do.

that. Not everybody has that.”After college, law school was on Cordello’s

mind but seemed out of reach. Then a di-sheveled stranger — like a seer in a mythicnovel — spoke up with insider knowledge.

“On a visit to New York City, I went intoMcDonald’s and saw a homeless person; it

was startling. I bought him a cheeseburger.When I came out and gave it to him, he said,‘You’re going to be a great lawyer some day.’”

“I was at a point in my life where I didn’tnecessarily have the confidence to pursuelaw school, but I know a sign when it smacksme in the face.”

Women’s Rights Attorney Jack Tuckner,an early mentor, had turned another page byintroducing her to employment law. She got

her JD, in 2002, from New York Law School.“It was a great place to spend my 20s. I

lived downtown, went to school downtownand worked downtown when 9/11 happened[and] stayed a number of years afterward.”

She has handled cases of workplace dis-crimination related to disability, sexual ori-entation, race, religion and more. She hashelped employers and employees navigateeverything from benefits to equal employ-

ment issues and litigation in both state andfederal court.

Our nation’s economy has increased hercaseload on both sides — employee and em-ployer.

Cordello and her husband, Justin, met inlaw school. After visiting his hometown ofRochester, they moved here. Their daughtersare Sophia, 4, and Vivian, 1. Their dog,Sully, is quite the character.

Cordello� CORDELLO from page 4

Feinberg� FEINBERG from page 8

A lawyer himself, he recently pickedup where Kimberly left off — at Thomas& Solomon. A 2008 Up & Coming Attor-ney award winner and 20-year memberof the Air National Guard, he co-foundedHonor Flight Rochester, Inc. — with afocus on transporting veterans to Wash-ington, D.C., to visit memorials honoring

their service. Kimberly is an HFR vol-unteer.

“[She also] provides a voice to those whobelieve they have been wronged, hasstarted and grown a business during chal-lenging economic times and does so whileachieving her personal goals,” he added.“She is an example and a role model tomany young women.”

She has mentored attorneys — bothmale and female — with an interest in law,setting up their own practices and working

at smaller firms.“The legal climate’s kind of tough for

new attorneys these days, in terms of jobsand things,” she explained. “I do get con-tacted by mostly young women interestedin how I’ve been able to do what I do.”

“I walk them through the path I took[and] I speak at Nazareth College every se-mester. Often somebody will contact me af-terward to ask for advice. I’ve done that forthe past two years.”

October marks her second anniversary

in business.“It definitely moved faster than I antici-

pated, which is a testament to the fact thatit’s needed in the community. But, it’snever been overwhelming. I’ll simply con-tinue on the path I’m on.”

Glennon completed her JD at AlbanyLaw School of Union University after re-ceiving a bachelor’s in psychology withhonors and a minor in political sciencefrom SUNY’s University at Albany.

Glennon� GLENNON from page 8

“I don’t put blinders on, looking to pros-ecute everyone to the fullest extent,” sheexplained.

“We have a number of cases whereyoung people make very bad choices on thespur of the moment. Do you send that per-

son to prison? Or find a way to rehabilitatethem and refine their way of thinking? Thatrequires listening to what the defense at-torney is saying.”

“I had my own troubled youth. If some-one had closed the door on me at 14, 15 or16 I could have gone a totally differentway.”

“Prosecutors have a certain amount ofpower, so it’s important to be fair and un-

biased. But, I [came to it] with a broadrange of life experience and was able tostep back and look at things with greaterdetail.”

“I think I’m doing [well] on both sidesof the coin. I support victim interestsand I step back to look at the entire sit-uation to see how we can help the per-son responsible and meet everyone’sneeds without throwing this person away

in society.”While being an open-minded prosecutor

still means being prepared to do battle, it isrewarding.

“People are being victimized every day,[so] to be able to come in and make thingsbetter for them is something I enjoy. I am con-stantly fighting on behalf of other people.”

The goal — when applying the Morrisonmethod — is to not fight blindly.

Morrison� MORRISON from page 10

others to keep them moving on the pathwaythat was set out for them.”

After graduating high school, she set outto become a math teacher — but, the equa-tion didn’t add up. While student teaching,she craved a broader worldview. So, she in-terned in the state Assembly as public af-fairs coordinator for now state Sen. JosephE. Robach (R).

“I loved it. I made a lot of great friends.I lived in Albany … it opened my eyes.”

Planning to pursue a master’s degree af-terward, constituent inquiries nudged herelsewhere.

“They would call asking for advice. I’dsay, ‘I’m not an attorney and I can’t referyou to one. I really wish I knew how to helpyou.’”

Tweaking her plans, she got her JD at UBLaw School in 2004. Moving to The BigApple, she worked with corporate giantslike Walt Disney Co. The experience paid

off; she is now on-site counsel to one ofNixon Peabody’s largest clients, Constella-tion Wines U.S.

“I feel very assured in how I can rational-ize and explain things to a client. Somethingcan be very complex and boring, but I try topaint it in a way that even someone who isn’ttrained in case law and other law gets it —[without] holding on to boiler plate lan-guage.”

It is akin to explaining math equations,but with wiggle room.

Cherished memories include growing up

in a “great” neighborhood, receiving love

and guidance from family and being guided

and encouraged by others placed strategi-

cally in her life’s path.

“Even through the bad stuff, I knew I

would be OK and needed to keep pursuing

and going after what I thought was my life’s

intent.”

The lives, work, hearts and courage of

those who inspire her daily — in sum total

– help it all add up.

Dentinger� DENTINGER from page 7

scaping.”“[Kevin] is a tireless worker, striving to

improve his professional skills and develophis career,” Kathryn M. Gibbons wrote onbehalf of Phillips Lytle LLP. “His positive in-fluence on others at the firm and in the com-munity is infectious.”

“I think you should always be progressingin your career, making yourself valuable toyour clients, your firm — as well as yourfamily and peers,” Mulvehill said. “Preparetoday for the challenges you’ll face tomor-row.”

As someone who holds a black belt inmartial arts and is a former marathon runner,

he is no stranger to preparation and placinghimself before challenges that others mightfind daunting.

“[He] has made significant contributions

to the Rochester community,” Gibbonsadded, “in particular, with his pro bono serv-ice to the legal needs of low-income individ-uals and families.”

In 2010, he logged more than 147 hoursof pro bono service.

“Most times we’re helping individuals orcompanies who don’t have a lot of money to

pay legal fees,” he responded.“I think it’s every attorney’s duty to give

back. You also get to explore [topics] thatdon’t [fall within] your practice area and cre-

ate a new skill. And often times it really is alife changing matter for our clients.”

It would be a mistake to confuse Mulve-hill’s directness with a lack of creativity —rather than attribute it to a simple case ofmodesty.

“[Law] was a well-respected professionthat would enable me to utilize creativity …it was kind of a natural development. [We]have varied practices and experts in allareas of law [at Phillips Lytle]. There’s al-ways someone backing me up who can helpme out or point me in the right direction.”

In the end, it could very well be him whois responsible for finding his own right di-rection — not unlike the dog who lost hisway.

Mulvehill� MULVEHILL from page 10

Ithink it’s every attorney’s duty to give back. Youalso get to explore [topics] that don’t [fall within]your practice area and create a new skill. And often

times it really is a life changing matter for our clients

I’m always learning, too. As you’re working withsomeone else on a team you’re gonna learnsomething you didn’t know and see it from a dif-

ferent perspective. That makes your own productmuch better


He encourages them to study of civics andlaw. He hopes to encourage attorneys to aidthose studies by doing as Harry S. Trumanproclaimed they should, representing the law“in schools” on Law Day.

Collective action, he said, benefits every-one.

“If a mattress was lying in the middle ofthe road, nine-out-of-10 people would drivearound it. The moral? What’s good for the in-dividual is bad for the community.”

And the problem is not what we don’thave; it’s what we do.

“[Americans] are the most stressed outpeople in the world — which is crazy, be-

cause we have more than we need. What dowe have to be stressed out about? Goingoverseas helps you understand the big pic-ture of life — human life.”

While studying abroad, he saw streetfights and bloodshed result from levels ofsafety, security and freedom that fell belowU.S. standards.

“People voting for the law don’t under-stand how valuable it is,” he said. “I went toEngland to study political philosophy be-cause the concept of law, in the metaphysi-

cal sense, is so interesting to me.”“Law is not a tool we use; it’s something

within our psyche. We strive for order so thatwe can be protected, but also so that we can

stop other people from imposing on us.”As a mediator in the Rochester Teen Court

Restorative Justice Program, he has seenhow living the law shifts young perspectives.

“They have to air their dirty laundry inpublic [in front of peers]. It’s restorative.They learn that there are more consequencesthan the immediate ones and that being agood example for their brothers and sisterscan make a difference.”

Nature and nurture shaped his own per-spectives. His father, mother, stepmother,siblings and entire family encouraged him touse his energy to serve society.

To, as his alter ego would say, “Get up offathat thing!” — and make the world a betterplace.

Paulino� PAULINO from page 12

Criterium, a three-day cycling event andthen a proposed Tour d’New York. That lastone never got rolling, but he provides coun-sel to South Avenue’s Full Moon Vista Bike& Sport in hopes that it will.

“The city was always a big backer. Mayor[Robert] Duffy was a huge proponent, aswell. The challenge is getting funding from

the state and recruiting corporate sponsorsat the national level.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s in biol-ogy, a minor in environmental studies andhonors from Hobart & William Smith Col-leges in the Finger Lakes, he got his JD atVermont Law School.

“I always thought I’d go into medicalschool or work in a lab. The more I lookedinto that, it wasn’t really what I wanted todo.”

The lab proved too drab for this highly so-

cial and adaptable Rochesterian.“I took a year off and went to Washington,

D.C., to work for an environmental not-for-profit. There I learned that Vermont had thetop environmental law program in the nation.I completed my JD and one thing led to an-other. I wound up coming back to Rochester— to Boylan Brown.”

“I think I’m flexible and I’m comfortablepicking up and trying new things. At the sametime, my role at the firm is typical as a litiga-tor; we see all types of cases. You have to be

able to learn new things and become an experton the issue you’re dealing with at the time.”

His parents, he said, are experts in theirown right — filling life with laughs, adven-ture and love while giving him, his twinbrother, Chris, and his older brother, Bryan,unconditional guidance and support.

“Whatever decision we want to make, ourparents have always supported us.”

What else does one need along life’s trav-els, except maybe a well-made taco and acold bottle of beer?

Mooney� MOONEY from page 9

Any personal strengths? Matarazzo saidshe is very organized.

“[Hadley] ran a large litigation, multiplehundreds of clients, five defendants andnovel issues,” Greenwald attested. “Re-gardless of the issue, [she] tackled it withskill, creativity, clarity, professionalismand enthusiasm.”

Fast forward to June 2010, whenMatarazzo joined Faraci.

“Hadley has a unique package of skillsand talents that will take her as far as shewants to go in our business,” Schwarz said.“[It] was extremely fortunate for our firmand the Rochester legal community to addHadley to our ranks.”

While Matarazzo had been deeply com-mitted to serving public interest since herpre-law school days, the shift to Faraci was

seamless; in part, because she was stillable to serve that interest.

“Without litigation, [my clients] losewages, their ability to work, incur medicalbills and go through an awful lot of suffer-ing. Without help for their personal injurythey have no other way to put their lifeback together.”

“I feel really good about what I do for myclients and have really enjoyed: My firstyear [at Faraci], the work we’re doing, our

clients, the attorneys I’m working with andthe mentoring I’m getting. It’s a great placeto work.”

But, Matarazzo does not go it alone.Her husband, Todd, is a professional

photographer whose work has appeared inCondé Nast publications and at the Brook-lyn Museum. Todd, a New Jersey native,was “gung ho” about their move. The cou-ple has two children: Miles, 2, and EvaMarie, a newborn.

Matarazzo� MATARAZZO from page 9

lems for clients and to head off problems,”he explained. “When they’re comfortabletalking with me and we understand how eachother thinks and acts it’s easier to come upwith a solution [to] their needs.”

He learned those skills, in part, caddyinghis way through high school, college and lawschool.

“It’s kind of a labor of love. You’re outside,walking around in the sun. How can you beatthat?”

“It gave me a chance to see how suc-cessful people really go about their busi-ness — by talking and havingconversations about everything and any-thing and by getting others comfortablewith them as a person.”

“All attorneys can basically achieve thesame outcomes. What sets you apart is whoyou are and how [clients] relate to you. On

the golf course, the atmosphere is [re-laxed]. If we hit it off there we just mayhave a successful business relationship, aswell.”

“Plus, most people can’t hide their emo-tions on the golf course; it’s great way to seewho people really are.”

If working the links ups his carry, his fam-ily is his driver.

“One of the things that drew me to HarrisBeach is [the fact that] I can be home for din-ner and make it to soccer games. It’s the per-

fect mix; there’s enough to keep my busy atwork, but when I need to I can make time formy family.”

Overton, an East Irondequoit native, andhis wife, Amy, have two girls and one boy —respectively: Makenna, 7, Jordyn, 5 andMason, 4.

“I think Makenna knows I work in a lawfirm and work with buildings. Jordyn told ateacher I make party hats, so I’m pretty sureshe has no idea what I do.”

Party on the links, anyone?

Overton� OVERTON from page 11

a law school professor, prosecutor and pri-vate practitioner.

“Viewing Shannon’s achievementsthrough any of those lenses,” she said, “de-picts a woman who is trustworthy, acts aftergreat thought and is one of Rochester’s ris-ing stars … an advocate for victims, de-fender of the constitution and promoter ofpublic safety.”

She approaches clients with such dig-nity, Cerulli added, they know they are safesharing intimate details with her and thatthe client privilege is sacred to her.O’Keefe’s said her sensitivity comes fromknowing that many gray areas exist.

“I’ve had experiences that made metake a step back. As an assistant D.A.— at a young age — you have a lot ofinfluence over someone else’s life. Foryou, it’s just one DWI in your file of300 at the moment. For that person, it’slife changing; it can change their whole

outlook.”Even in cases involving custody, visita-

tion and neglect — black and white sim-ply do not exist.

“Judge Gallagher [is] willing to listen toinput on any case. I can go to him and say,‘Have you thought about this? Or this?’ andhe’s very open to that.”

“I grew up a divorced kid … I knowhow it feels to be going back and forthon the weekends. My younger sister,Allyson, is my half-sister. My sons aremy step-sons. It’s a round world — that’s

for sure!”Volunteerism rounds out her resume. A

long-time supporter of the Western N.Y.Transverse Myelitis Support Group, hersister was first diagnosed at the age of 11.O’Keefe was 21.

“She didn’t walk for practically a wholesummer … I remember thinking, ‘Whatdoes it really mean?’”

She turned confusion into a conduit ofvirtual support — sharing contacts, insightand experience with suffers whose mobilityis limited — to set the story straight.

O’Keefe� O’KEEFE from page 11

shouldn’t be any [planning] around thesedevelopments, considering they impactpeople.”

People punctuate Sewruk’s life.“I’m personable [and] gregarious … I’m

also happy to initiate things so that I canencourage participation.”

“In her four-and-a-half years at HarterSecrest,” Premo pointed out, “Julia has

served on many committees, [spearhead-ing] the planning for the firm’s Dr. MartinLuther King Jr. Day observances in 2010and 2011. As part of the 2011 celebration,Julia also helped create and then managean essay contest open to third, fourth andfifth graders” in Rochester city schools.

She loved the idea.“Dr. King’s sister wrote a book and the

illustrator signed it,” Sewruk explained.“Three [students] won a copy. We gave giftcertificates to teachers and had a school-supply drive to thank teachers and stu-

dents for participating. The [winners] cameto a board meeting and were just beaming.”

The perks at work don’t end with com-munity service or Premo’s mentoring.

“We have really unique people [here].We’re serious about our profession, but wedon’t take ourselves seriously. [I want] toget business done, but I’m not a robot.”

She approaches outside activities simi-larly. A member and co-chair of the Em-pire State Pride Agenda Spring dinnersteering committee, she is also a Gay Al-liance of the Genesee Valley board mem-

ber — proofreading GAGV’s monthly pub-lication.

“I don’t know everything and I’m willingto admit it openly,” she said of leading not-for-profits.

Snapple Fact #59: Brain waves can beused to power an electric train.

“[Committee members] work very hard.My goal is to give them momentum … Ialso value other people’s perspectives andtake the time to get to know them.”

Humans are way more fun than robots,after all.

Sewruk� SEWRUK from page 12

Law is not a tool we use; it’s something withinour psyche. We strive for order so that wecan be protected, but also so that we can

stop other people from imposing on us

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